Monday, May 11th 'What If' Question

The monkey is off Jeff Gordon’s back.

After weeks of leading the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points standings only to have it mean nothing, Gordon finally got his much wanted and needed win Saturday night in Kansas. In doing so the 42-year-old made it known that he feels 25 again and his Drive to End Hunger team are more than ready to chase a championship.

Gordon’s last championship came in 2001, under the Winston Cup banner. Since NASCAR has changed the format and title sponsor, the four-time champion has tried repeatedly to earn a Sprint Cup championship. Here again in 2014, Gordon has a solid foundation underneath him in order to make that happen.

And then there’s what it would mean. Just a few years ago many were ready to send him packing into retirement, mostly because Gordon had begun to acknowledge the toll racing was taking on his body. Specifically his back and how much pain he was in during competition and after climbing out. Except Gordon has gone through a transformation the last few years and with how competitive his Hendrick team has been, suddenly it doesn’t appear he’s going anywhere anytime soon.

“I just feel so competitive out there, and that makes me feel young again. I just see how hard these guys are working. It’s making me work harder,” Gordon said on Saturday. “I’ve been really working harder on my fitness, which I think is helping me mentally and physically be more prepared out there. When the cars are that good, my back just doesn’t seem to hurt as much.

“The whole retirement thing I think is thrown out there too much, and I’m probably somewhat to blame, but there’s no secret, I’m going to be 43 this year, but, man, if 43 is like this, I can’t wait for 50. This is all right. I’m having a good time. That’s why I feel young, because I’m just having a great time.”

But …

What if Jeff Gordon goes on to win his fifth title, should he / would you like to see him retire by going out on top?

@John_Sikora my guess is that he will do 1 more year and then give up the seat to Chase Elliott…

@Lance_sells I would like to see that but I can’t see him doing that.

@TomLglEdtr nah, never a huge fan but have developed lots of respect for Jeff over the years. He should race as long as he wants.

@justin24hr as a fan since I was a kid, I’d say that would be a perfect, knowing his retirement is sooner rather than later anyway.

@CraigMintz09 would love to see that! Spend time with his daughter and show her the ropes!

@GERI1324FAN Ummm…pardon the intrusion but who the hell says we have to limit Jeff Gordon to just one more?

@ecfr1978 he’s a company man, he’ll race one more year and then turn his seat over to Chase Elliott no matter what happens, #respect

@jrm1219 he’s earned the right to races as long as he wants & as long as he is competitive could see him race 3 more yr 

@Chase_Wilhelm No better way to go out than on top.

Tuesday, May 6th 'What If' Question

Brad Keselowski is a Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series champion who makes more good moves than bad.

His peers will admit that, like Jeff Gordon did, and some of them did Sunday in Talladega. But only because they were left trying wonder about the move that Keselowski made to race with the leaders while six laps down in the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway.

It was fine for nearly the entire event. Keselowski believing he just needed a few cautions and he could take his car that was certainly fast enough, back in to contention. And then with 51 laps to go he spun in front of the field and took out 12 cars behind him. The subsequent reaction was anything but friendly, with Matt Kenseth (whom Keselowski had a problem with racing a week ago in Richmond) saying that if roles were reversed, Keselowski would be lecturing others.

The accident since sparked a debate about whether Keselowski should have been running where he was. The No. 2 Miller Lite Ford was indeed one of the fastest cars in the field, however he found himself multiple laps down after he spun from earlier contact with Danica Patrick. While restrictor plate racing is known for its large and numerous wrecks, Keselowski was playing the hoping game of having just enough that he could get back on the lead lap.

And it was certainly possible. Jamie McMurray, who was also numerous laps down, did get about five laps back and finished 29^th after running dead laps for much of the event. Unfortunately for Keselowski, he didn’t have as quiet a day with the first big wreck, which many admitted they knew was coming, occurring because of a driver who was multiple laps down and was racing with the leaders.

But …

What if Brad Keselowski had only been a lap or two down when he spun in front of the field, does furious reaction towards him still hold?

@MooreNASCAR Don’t agree with it, but I say it’s definitely still highlighted by lots when expressing their opinion.

@88isDaleJr One lap I can see. But Not 6! It was shear stupidy!!

@jrm1219 If your one lap down you still only need to race any other cars one lap down & wait for a yellow 

@jackrlewis if he was battling for the free pass fine, otherwise he didn’t belong there

Monday, January 13th 'What If' Question

For those who haven’t heard, Chase Elliott is now officially going NASCAR racing.

Earlier this month it was announced that Elliott had signed a full-time deal with JR Motorsports in the Nationwide Series. He’ll drive the No. 9 NAPA Chevrolet with crew chief Greg Ives. Coming after Elliott won his first career Camping World Truck Series race last season but has yet to run a single lap in NNS competition.

The son of 1988 Cup champion Bill Elliott has grown up in NASCAR garages. Having the best to learn from as he’s made his way through the racing ranks. The younger Elliott becoming a legend in his own right on short tracks.

So with the name come the expectations. Before Elliott was even old enough to compete in NASCAR he was already being called the heir apparent to Jeff Gordon’s No. 24. Now that Elliott is signed to a NNS deal, as well as linked to Hendrick Motorsports as a development driver, the scenario could become quite likely over the next few seasons.

Right now his NNS deal is a multi-year one according to JRM. The trend seeming to be for young drivers that two full years in the NNS and then it’s time to move to Cup. Should Elliott follow in that direction, a decision will have to be made about where he ends up and if he does indeed end up replacing Gordon.

It’s all part of speculation, something that’s familiar in NASCAR. The 2014 season hasn’t even started yet and the future is already trying to be predicted. Yet, with Elliott that’s been the case since he could walk.

And let’s not forget the biggest part of this deal: Jeff Gordon. Many have been ready to attach the retirement tag to the four-time champion since about 2005. Yet he’s not ready to entertain such notions and hasn’t revealed when exactly he plans on stepping away.

But …

What if Chase Elliott is ready for the Cup Series in 2-3 years, and with being connected to Hendrick, how do you fit him in?

@MarshallGabell After Jimmie Johnson wins two more Championships then Elliott will become Hendrick’s franchise driver

@ABolt89 5 team or will they cut ties with whoever the weaker driver is!! Honestly that is a great question

@Talon64 If it’s 3 years, then at least any one of Gordon, Stewart or Danica will be gone to open up a seat within the HMS family.

@ThomasCHitch JR Motorsports emerges.

@jshaunAU2006 in reply to @Talon64 and @KellyCrandall I still think JRM will have a cup team in the future.

@Talon64 to @jshaunAU2006 Dale Jr. would have to leave HMS for it.

@Revvin4Seven48 I figure Gordon will be done after 2015.

@jshaunAU2006 to @Talon64 Dale Sr. didn’t leave RCR for DEI.

@Talon64 to @jshaunAU2006 4 car limit in Cup would prevent Dale Jr. for owning another team while he’s driving for HMS.

@MattWisneski Chase Elliott has been lined up for the 24 car since we first head his name. I sat 2015/16 all but signed #napa24

@jasonskow I think that Jeff Gordon retires or goes part time

@jackrlewis Gordon will retire. I don’t see any other instance, unless Kahne regresses

@AustinPollak8 Gordon retires

@MikeGraf2 Gordon will be retired

@R_Informative I think we’re seeing Jeff Gordon’s career come to a close, like it or not, and that is what will make room for Chase

@HarpAmyStabler He becomes the heir apparent to Jeff Gordon. Or, he goes to a satellite team like SHR until a seat opens up at HMS.

Tuesday, October 9th 'What If' Quesiton

Sometimes all it takes to ruin the perfect moment or the perfect race, is one split second decision. Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart found himself in that position when he came down the track to block Michael Waltrip's big run and caused a 25 car wreck.

Stewart, who was leading at the time, was trying to win the race. When he quickly found himself in the sucker-hole, the middle of the track with cars flying past on the outside and inside, he made the only decision he could: try to protect his position.

Stewart ended up getting turned by Waltrip who was being pushed by Casey Mears. When the dust settled and the checkered flag was shown, Matt Kenseth was declared the winner with only Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon making it through the carnage behind him. Stewart did apologize for starting the wreck and took responsibility, but many others weren't happy with the type of racing they had seen.

Most vocal was Dale Earnhardt Jr., who we learned later had suffered a concussion. He'll be sitting out the next two Sprint Cup Series races.

The wreck also shook up the point standings. Brad Keselowski extended his lead to 14 over Johnson, who wrecked while Keselowski was able to save his car and drive to a seventh place finish. Anything could have happened had the pack made to the finish line as they were, instead one mistake on the final lap, in the final corner changed everything.

Such is the life in NASCAR.

But ..

What if Stewart and Waltrip didn't get together and start last lap crash, of that big pack coming off turn four, take your pick: who wins Talladega?

@TheOrangeCone Josh Wise

@Anthony_Stuart Kenseth: not enough time was left for them to get by him

@FurnitureRow_78 Waltrip definitely would have won!

@NaScArFaN995 michael waltrip or casey mears

@Gman1439 Waltrip vs Kenseth, I say Waltrip would of won

@31SpazCat15 I think Mikey wins!!

@philenespanol Mikey. He had a full head of steam (hence getting into smoke) and probably would have settled it between him and Clint

@mattwoodruff29 Harvick he was right on Kenseth's and could had went for the win!

@NancyatStudioN Michael Waltrip

@chuckallen2 @mw55 was going to win, no doubt in my mind. His momentum, getting pushed in the perfect spot on track were just enough

@Rasenna Tony! He's the man!

@HarpAmyStabler I think that Mikey or Casey Mears would have duked it out for the win.

Thursday, September 9th 'What If' Question

It all comes down to one race and two drivers. While others are still mathematically eligible  to make this year's Chase for the Sprint Cup Series Championship, all eyes are on Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon going to Richmond.

Busch holds the second Wild Card spot, with his one win from May at the same track. Gordon sits 14th, fighting a year of bad luck and many mechanical failures. He too, has a lone win from Pocono. And the scenario is simple: whoever finishes ahead of the other will make the Chase.

Yet, while both Busch and Gordon have had their fair share of success at the Virginia track, Busch enters the weekend as the favorite. He's the most recent winner at the track and it's Gordon who has to beat him. A tall task simply because of the fact that anything and everything that could happen to a driver and team this season, has to Gordon.

They must continue to fight from behind if they want a shot at the Chase. A situation neither company, Joe Gibbs Racing with Busch and Hendrick Motorsports with Gordon, imagined themselves in before the season started. Except here they are, Busch not wanting to miss the Chase again as he did in 2009 and Gordon hoping to have something go right in his season. Saying it's never over until it's over, and he too, doesn't want to experience being on the outside looking in as he did in 2005.

Each driver knows what they have to do, Busch feeling confident in his team and the track. Gordon looking to avenge a heartbreaking loss to Hamlin at Atlanta, saying he won't make the same mistake twice.

But ...

What if Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon are running together on the last lap Saturday, who makes it back to the checkered flag and into the Chase?

@ARosser14 Whoever's third

@HarpAmyStabler Kyle makes it to the Chase and the checkered flag

Monday, April 2nd 'What If' Question

Everything was in place on Sunday for Hendrick Motorsports to have an historic day at Martinsville Speedway.

Kasey Kahne won the pole, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. all led laps. And when came time to decide the winner Gordon, Johnson and Earnhardt Jr. were running first, second and third with less than 10 laps to go.

Whoever won the event for HMS would have delivered team owner Rick Hendrick his 200th Sprint Cup Series win. David Reutimann, Clint Bowyer and Ryan Newman had other plans and quickly postponed the celebration.

As Gordon took the lead by inches on Johnson on lap 498 of 500, David Reutimann came to a stop near turn one in his No. 10 Chevrolet. He had been slow for a few laps and had been issued the black flag by NASCAR, get off the track in other words.

Reutimann though was determined to finish the race and try to remain locked into the top 35 in points. Had he done so he would be guaranteed a starting spot in the series next race at Texas. Instead he said he had motor problems and the car shut off, stopping him to get back to pit road.

The caution bunched the field back up and when Earnhardt Jr. pitted it put Clint Boywer in third place, Brad Keselowski fourth, Ryan Newman fifth and Earnhardt Jr. sixth. When the green flag flew Newman shoved Bowyer toward turn one and Bowyer decided to take it three wide for the lead.

Johnson spun, Gordon got sideways and then spun Bowyer. Newman came out with the lead, AJ Allmendinger second and Earnhardt Jr. third. That's how they would finish when the race had their second attempt at a green-white-checkered finish.

Afterwards it was hard to find a happy driver. Either upset with the move by Bowyer, the push from Newman but most certainly because of the caution caused by Reutimann. Days later harsh words still remain for both Reutimann and the top 35 rule with both being the main topics of conversations concerning Martinsville.

HMS will once again put away the boxes full of 200 win hats and wait until Texas in two weeks to see if one of their drivers can win capture the checkered flag.

But ...

What if David Reutimann hadn't caused a caution as Gordon & Johnson raced for the lead, who scores the 200th win for HMS?

@ronsracing88 Jeff Gordon would of won.

@HD388 Gordon would of easily have won the race, he had run Johnson down & was passing him & would of driven off from him

@cruetten Jeff Gordon

@michaelwsays Jimmy would have laid the chrome bumper to the 24

@StrokerAce90 JJ

@CSoloy Niether-M'ville upchucks chunk AGAIN, goes through 24 grill, in turn clips 48 who pits, falls 2 end of lead lap

@HarpAmyStabler Jeff Gordon. My thots on Reuty are the following: He's fighting for the top 35. If you don't want something like that to affect the outcome of the race, then NASCAR needs to get rid of the top 35. But, in this economy, we need sponsors so we need to keep the top 35 rule. It's really a no-win situation here. All drivers have agendas on the track. Respect them.

Tuesday, January 10th 'What If' Question

Following the 2001 season Jeff Gordon was the man on top of the sport and on the top of the list to tie if not pass Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt with seven Cup championships.

Gordon had just won his fourth title and it didn't look like he was going to stop winning anytime soon. But a lot has changed since 2001 like the cars, tracks, rules, teams and drivers. Gordon has continued to win races, he now sits third on the all-time wins list with 85 behind Petty (200) and Pearson (105), except the number in the championship column hasn't changed.

Gordon is still at four with Tony Stewart since claiming three titles since Gordon's last. Jimmie Johnson has claimed five and Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch each won their first. It hasn't been for a lack of trying on Gordon's part though, he finished second in 2007 after he dominated the season by putting together a modern day record of top tens with 30. But in the Chase he lost to Johnson who put together a better average during the 10 Chase races.

It wasn't the first time that the Chase seemed to do Gordon in. In 2004 Gordon scored the most points during the entire 36 week schedule, but not as many as Kurt Busch did during the 10 weeks during the Chase. Then in 2009 Gordon finished third in points as Hendrick Motorsports swept the top three spots.

So, he and his fans still wait for the next time they'll be on the big stage. Never knowing that it would take this long before they felt the taste of a championship again. If there's one thing that can be counted on though it's that every preseason Gordon will be on the top of a few lists to win his fifth championship. Just as he's been for the last 10 years. This will be the year they say, only to say it again the following preseason.

But ...

What if Jeff Gordon never wins another championship, will many attempt to turn the discussion or blame toward the Chase?

@Talon64 What if? Jeff Gordon fans already do; would've won championship under old system in 2004 and 2007.

@rcracer20 points are points,you need the most to win,then, when you also get rewarded points for wins #getuponthewheelanddrive

Sunday January 30th 'What If' Question

Two days after Hendrick Motorsports driver Jimmie Johnson won his fifth consecutive championship and as many still tried to wrap their arms around the concept, team own Rick Hendrick decided to grab some more headlines.

Hendrick announced major changes in his organization for the 2011 season. Three of his four drivers - Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin - would be picking up their driving seat and moving to different teams. Earnhardt Jr. would now be paired with Gordon's team led by Steve Letarte and be driving old 24 cars. Gordon would be moving to Martin's old team led by Alan Gustafson and would be driving old 5 cars. And Martin would be moving to Earnhardt Jr.'s old team led by Lance McGrew to drive old 88 cars.

Everything but the drivers and the sponsors stayed the same. While many were quick to try and point out the change was made because of the continuing struggles of Earnhardt Jr., Hendrick made it clear that he was not satisfied with the performance of any of his teams in 2010. Johnson was the only HMS driver to win a race and in May Hendrick said he felt that Joe Gibbs Racing had caught and passed his organization.

For Earnhardt Jr. he hasn't won a race since June of 2008 and missed the Chase in both 2009 and 2010. Gordon has been winless since April of 2009 but did make the Chase in those two years. Martin has been winless since September of 2009 when he made the Chase but then he too missed it in 2010.

Hendrick decided he wanted to do something fresh, something to give the company another shot in the arm. In doing so he rocked the NASCAR world and made sure there was plenty to talk about during the offseason and heading into the 2011 Sprint Cup Series season.

From the drivers themselves to the media and down to the fan, the opinions of what's in store of HMS this season have been widespread and widely documented.

But ...

What if Rick Hendrick didn't make changes to 3 of his 4 teams, what would you be expecting from Dale Jr, J. Gordon & M.Martin this year?

@cruetten: a mediocre year for Jr, an impressive final year for Martin, and possibly a championship for Gordon.

@StrokerAce90: I'd be expecting Jr to argue with his crew chief, Gordon to give Burton payback & M.Martin to help JJ win a 6th Championship.

Adam Amick (via Facebook) What if Dale, Jr. was worth a crap as a driver? What if Steve Letarte didn't make so many bonehead calls over the past few years? What if Mark Martin had quit when he said he was and someone else (Brad Keselowski) was in the seat? What if Jeff Gordon hadn't hired Jimmie Johnson in the first place? What if? What if? What if? But to answer your question: If there hadn't been any changes, there wouldn't be any changes... (See above)

Monday, January 10th 'What If' Question

He's not the most hated man in NASCAR but if Jimmie Johnson keeps winning championships he might start to become one.

Now a five-time Sprint Cup Series champion, a five consecutive time champion, Johnson and his No. 48 Lowe's team led by crew chief Chad Knaus have the look of can't be beaten. Since entering the Cup Series in 2002 the due have won 25 poles, compiled 203 top 10s, 53 wins and five titles.

Johnson has been called the great driver in NASCAR history or at least in this generation. Knaus has been called one of the great crew chiefs in the sport. He's also been called one of the great cheaters as well. But whatever they're being called it hasn't slowed them down and they will go down in history as one of the most dominate teams the sport has ever had.

Or any sport since that matter.

Of course, the doubters have always been there. Saying Johnson is nothing without Knaus and vice versa. Beyond doubters have been those who blame Jeff Gordon for giving Johnson a ride in the first place when he approached him back in 2001 during a Nationwide Series race.

At the time, Johnson was a no-named Nationwide driver that had one win in 81 starts. Gordon gave him a shot in the Cup Series and Rick Hendrick paired him with Knaus.

The rest they say is history.

But ...

What If Chad Knaus and Jimmie Johnson were not paired together in 2002, where would Johnson be in terms of accomplishments today? #NASCAR

@jlaracefan14 that is a very good question. #nascar

@Talon64 About 25 wins and one championship, either 2006 or 2009. Which means Mark could be a champ, Jeff 5-time. #NASCAR

@NancyatStudioN I don't know, but I wish JG would have gotten him instead.

@cruetten if the two never got hooked up, JJ would still be a mediocre driver in the NNS series

@denver2u He's talented as a driver,and with the same racecar setup..probably would have won at least 1championship,possibly 2.

@StrokerAce90 Pretty sure JJ wouldn't be at the level he is at today. (he & Chad click very well together) Maybe two Championships at best.

@NewKing48 The same. #fivetime

@ronsracing88 I think he would have a lot of wins, maybe not as many championships.

Saturday, September 4th "What If" Question

During the 1990s it appeared that no one could stop "Wonderboy." No, not Jimmie Johnson, his co-owner and teammate Jeff Gordon who won 47 races and three championships under crew chief Ray Evernham. Gordon entered the Sprint Cup Series as a kid, sporting a mustache and carrying around a briefcase (which Evernham said contained a Gameboy) but quickly showed the world that he was a driver to watch.

Week after week Gordon would go head-to-head with the veterans and beat them, becoming the enemy to many fans in the stands. How far was Gordon going to go? Could he reach Earnhardt and Petty's wins and championships records? Things certainly appeared to be going that way and nothing was slowing the pair down.

Until Evernham made a decision to leave the team. Dodge was making their way into the sport and had approached Evernham about starting his own team under their banner. Not wanting to leave the offer on the table, the crew chief became an owner and left HMS and Gordon.

At first it didn't look as though Gordon had suffered much as he and new crew chief Robbie Loomis won title number four in 2001. That however, has been the last championship trophy that Gordon has lifted and his wins total has mellowed out as well. Being at 82 wins is nothing to sneeze at ...

But ...

What if Ray Evernham never left Hendrick Motorsports and Jeff Gordon. How many titles would they have won/kept Johnson from winning?

@NASCARinstig8r I don't necessarily think Evernham and Gordon would have produced the same kind of success in the "new" NASCAR. Its way different. When they were winning championships they only had 4 or 5 guys to beat. 6 (Mark Martin), 88 (Dale Jarrett), 5 (Terry Labonte), 3 (Dale Earnhardt), 2 (Rusty Wallace). Now there's 12 or more to beat. Had the chase not been implemented Gordon would already have 6 titles. Of the top 10, I think all have a realistic shot ea yr.

@Emily_988 I will answer this one. I think they could have won at least 2 more. But no COT ones.

@RedChevy14 As a crew chief Ray probably coulda figured out how to lift the space shuttle. Questiou woulda been driver/cc chemistry.

@SD80MAC At least one or two more. Even with the COT, I think Ray Evernham would have been able to set it up and get the wins. Ray Evernham could make anything run fast. He was probably one of the best ever crew chiefs.

@yoak0373 I like to ponder the same thing about Matt Kenseth and Robbie Reiser. It's a deeper question because Reiser getting promoted made the other Roush teams better and Matt's team worse!!!

NancyatStudioN I think JG would have cont'd 2 win if Ray hadn't left. He'd have at least 2 more Championships. I hoped 4 at least 8 - LOL